Wiping a Hard Drive

cutie

I was instructed by my superiors to wipe a machine that uses ME to upgrade it to Windows 2000. when put in the CD there was an error upgrading it. so the next step was to WIPE the Harddrive.

the question is what MUST I do before wiping this Harddrive. Please note that most users use this machine and uses outlook to check thier email. Easch user has thier own profile when they log in.

I wnat to preserve ALL thier information and Emails
what step should I take

yu have helped me before and I know yu will again
write in details the steps I sghoyuld take to preseve tghier infos and thier emails

thanks you
looking for a quick reply

RussS

Copy their "My Documents" folder, Favourites, and email db - usually .dbx or .pst to a safe place (server) and theb nail that drive.
I also usually check if there are any legacy programs than can just be switched from drive to drive and will work - I also copy the fonts folder and office templates to make life easier

cutie

I was waiting so much for your reply.

In regards to the email what did you say again? get confused with the db and pst
where can i see that?

waiting for reply

jmc724

1. Easy way - clone the existing hard drive to a another hard drive. The import each user's *.dbx(need to import this one), *.pst, my documents with simple copy and paste commands

Or

2. copy each user's profile to a share on the network: my documents, favorites, mailboxes i.e *.pst or *.dbx, you can use the import and export tool.

Or

3. You can also use the scanstate and loadstate commands found in the windows 2000 cd.

4. You can find this documention on ms website.

cliffjag1987

use the user state migration tool.

Well i am not sure if its availible with windows 2000 but its availible on windows xp.

mobri09

Yeh since its a pre winxp system you could use files and setting transfer wizard and use the fastwiz.exe tool.

Doire

Cant you just ghost the hard drive? This will save everything that exists on that drive...do your upgrade and then put it all back on again.

jmc724

Yes, you can ghost the hd. I mentioned that in step 1 of my initial response.

When done you can simply do a clean install. In that manner, you have a clean registry.

cutie

Thanks guys I will try if any problem i will let yu know